Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-02-24
WHY THIS DELAY

There is in some quarters faint dIspo-
sition to decry the State textbook expert
ment. That this has representation in the
Legislature, we were unwilling to believe
but facts of which We now have knowledge
justify suspicion. Outside influences are
known to be secretly at work to defeat the
States effort, and these we fear are being
responded TO actively in the Legislature
The people, in November, 1884, by the
astonishing vote of 143,017 against IL $3.50,
adopted a constitutional amendment by
which the State was required to enter
upon the compilation and manufacture of
textbooks for the common schools and to
sell them at cost to the parents and guard
ians of children of the public schools.
Both the great political parties approved
the measure by express platform decIara-
tions. In 1885 the Legislature, with
scarcely dissenting voice, put the plan
into operation. 1t has been diligently and
efficiently worked out to this date, with
success greatly exceeding the expectations
of the most sanguine friends of the scheme.
1t has resulted so satisfactorily as to dis
arm all legitimate opposition-the oppo-
nent with Interior views and selfish in
terest is never disarmed. Most of the
books have been produced they have re-
ceived the Endorsement of the unpreiu-
diced educators of the State and we take
it that practical men, comparing the old
aud the new, with scarce an execution
will concur in the judgment that there
have been produced as good, if not better
books by the State than the people bought
Of the book syndicates heretofore. They
are as well printed and better bound than
any that preceded them. They are fur
nished to the people at about half the cost
heretofore entailed upon them and thus
wonderful economy has been conserved, to
say nothing of ejecting school-book poll
ties book rings and publishing syndicates,
and all the ills that hang upon their
skirts, from our school system, and Boards
of Education, not to mention the Legisla-
ture, which wrestled often and long with
them, and not always came out of the con-
test untarnished.
In the light of these facts it is passing
strange that there should be any GOODNESS
in the Legislature on the subject of pro-
viding the means and passing all neces- |
sary laws to carry on the work, so well be- |
gun, to a completely successful issue. In
the late campaign our amiable political
enemies, the Democrats made the enter
prise war cry, and applauded the scheme
to the echo. Where stands the party now,
with the control of the Senate inits hands !
For three weeks the bill for forwarding |
the school book work has slumbered in |
committee, and its passage has thereby
been seriously endangered. The committee
has Of late been absent in the south coun-
try enjoying itself, while this important
measure slept in its lockers as the Capitol.
Nothing more satisfactory to the book
agent could happen than the death of the
bill by neglect-for kill it outright neither
House nor Senate will dare do
We cannot conceive what there is in the |
matter to cause any hesitation whatever. !
1t is, in fact, mere pro forma provision.
There is to be no outgo from the State
Treasury, since every dollar she puts into
printing the books comes back TO her, and |
the people of the State, by the process,
save an immense sum that has heretofore |
gone to the enrichment of book rings and |
through them to the corruption of the |
fountains of popular education. This
measure should be reported at once, taken
APP at once, and at once passed. If it fails
the Democratic Senate must bear the re-
sponsibility of defying constitutional
mandate, and ignoring its platform pledge.
The Republican Assembly has done better
the bill has got out of committee there,
and is before the House. With the revela-
tons recently made of attempts to manip-
ulate the files, no one may venture
to forecast the possible, however, for it may
be that some book interest, deep and low,
Is moving beneath the surface to defeat by |
chicane an important State interest, in
which there is legitimately no politics, no
personal concern, no other thing than the |
highest good of the people who are raising
up citizens to the State.
State interests of this character are al
ways endangered by delay, and now when
the end of the session is near at hand, and
the provision not made-save by item In
the appropriation bill-that is deemed |
necessary, to be embodied in distinct bills,
the friends of the schools and the school
book system have reason to feel anxious
The motion of Mr.. Hinshaw in the Senate
TO place all bills relating 20 the common
schools upon the special file, was in the
line of public service. TWAS wise fore
sight that moved the Senator TO such ae-
Ition. If the Senate has not already done
--.yt the sstiop by unan-